Old Porterstown National School

The Old Porterstown National School

The old Porterstown National School opened its doors to receive it's first intake of 124 students on 16th January 1854. There were 66 girls and 58 boys. This odd looking building, now privately owned, was built by James and Charles Kennedy, licensed vintners based in Capel Street, Dublin. The building looks very different from anything else in the district and is certainly difficult to miss as one travels along Porterstown Lane. Porterstown National School closed down in 1963 leaving its chequered history and lore for posterity to evaluate. According to stories relating to the old school and handed down through generations, in 1852 the local priest Fr Dungan approached Lord Annaly, the owner of Luttrellstown Castle and asked him to donate a site for his planned school. He was told by Lord Annaly in no uncertain terms to "go to hell." Replying to this rebuff, Fr Dungan answered in equally strong manner, "I will build a school in spite of you and it will be visible no matter where you go." Legend has it that the priest then put a curse on Luttrellstown Estate "that a crow would never build, a ewe would never lamb, and a hare would never run on the land." From that day the school was always referred to by the local community as 'The School of Spite'.